Manchester United criticised by club legends over post-match lap after 4–4 draw

Manchester United came from two goals down in stoppage time to salvage a 4–4 draw with Aston Villa at Old Trafford, but the point did nothing to lift the club out of the Premier League relegation zone. The draw leaves United inside the bottom three for at least two weeks — their longest spell there since 1986.

Former players scold post-match lap

After the match, United players made a lap of the pitch to acknowledge supporters, at one point receiving chants in favour of interim head coach Michael Carrick. The gesture drew clear criticism from club legends who said the team’s situation makes such celebrations inappropriate.

Paul Scholes told the programme "The Good, The Bad and The Football": "One thing they must do – stop these lap-of-honour things after matches. Who the devil? They play so badly. I'm not thinking just about Michael, but the whole team. It's shameful. Things like that should be done after the last match of the season. I feel sorry for them."

Former teammate Nicky Butt echoed those views, saying first: "That annoys me terribly." He added for NBC Sports: "You have to admire their persistence, they did not give up. The defensive mistakes were shocking and we will talk about them soon. But that lap around the pitch… I played 602 matches for Manchester United and I always showed gratitude to the fans after games. But what they are doing now – walking around the pitch after the Bournemouth defeat and the 4–4 home draw with Aston Villa – is almost painful to watch. It's like they are inflicting emotional damage on themselves."

The draw on 10 November 2026 preserved United’s ability to collect points, but critics say the optics of post-match acknowledgments while the club remains in serious danger will do little to soothe concerns among supporters and former players.

Photo: press material from the event